<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">We first reported 3 weeks ago a very possible flip flop between 3 and 5. Now it looks like another flip flop at the top of the lottery is very possible: this one between 4 and 6. The Utah Jazz are doing everything they can to move up for Deron Williams. And while the New Orleans Hornets would just as soon stand pat and take him at 4, if an intriguing enough offer were to come their way, they wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger. Another player the Hornets have become extremely high on is Danny Granger. They are so high on him that some even feel there's a chance he could go 4. But the more likely scenario is he ends up going 6 with the trade. If a trade is not completed, Utah is said to be very high on Fran Vazquez. However, if that trade does not go though, Vazquez could slide all the way to the end or even out of the lottery. If that happens look for the Nets at 15 to grab him in a heart beat and look for himto turn into one of the absolute steals of the entire draft.</div> <div align="center">Source</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Stockton:</div><div class="quote_post"><div align="center">Source</div></div> This is a better idea than anything. The Jazz can get a PG they deperately needed and Hornets can get a extermely well-rounded player. Who will the Jazz include in the trade though?
The deal would include the 6th pick, and something more from Utah. New Orleans will try to get as much as they can out of the Jazz. The Jazz have a lot of draft picks, and may try to trade one or two of them. The Jazz may offer the 6th pick and this years 27th pick or Detroit's 2006 first round pick (Jazz have rights to it) for the Hornets 4th pick.
I still like the Portland trade the best for the Jazz. The Jazz get the #3 pick, Sergei Monya, and Ruben Patterson. They give up #6, Kirk Snyder and Gordon Giricek. The Jazz get a strong on the ball defender in Patterson. He has the ability to guard either a SF or SG, and gives the Jazz insurance in case Raja Bell leaves. Ruben's contract also expires faster than Giricek's contract. With the #3 pick they have the option to take Chris Paul or Deron Williams, plus they get the rights to Sergei Monya. They can choose to bring him over for next season or keep him in Europe. Potential Roster PG - Paul SG - #27 Luther Head? or #34 Alan Anderson? SF - AK47 PF - Boozer C - Okur
The Hornets trade could turn out to be a good one for the Jazz. With the Hornets trade, Utah can get what they want, a Point Guard. The Jazz have far more chance at Chris Paul and Deron Williams with this trade than they would have without it. This should help Utah for many seasons to come.
I'd shy away from the Portland trade like it was the plague. First off, Patterson's got no jumper, and is holding a third year player option which he's sure to exercise at 3 million more than Giri. Secondly, he's carrying enough baggage to travel around the world. The Jazz would never bite on this guy unless they could dump him immediately. I don't like Snyder and would just as soon move him, but it would be foolish to give him away. Monya has a little of everything and not much of anything. He's got good size but thats it. Listed as an SG most everywhere but really more suited at the 3. There are reasons why he's not over here already. Not much to get excited about. If I was forced to chose between the two deals, I'd take the NO thing without a moments hesitation. Tank PS......One thing though stands in Monya's favor. He played with Kirilenko at the Euro Championships in Sweeden in 2003 on the Russian National team. And word on the street is, Portland is bringing him over as soon as they can arrange the buyout.
The only reason Monya was not brought over last year was his buyout issues. He is probably better suited at the 3, because he doesn't have the ball handling skills to play the 2. However, those skills can be taught, and Jerry Sloan is one of the best teachers of the game. Monya was used as a defensive specialist, so he should be able to earn minutes under Sloan. Ruben Patterson does have baggage, but he will do the little things for his team. His jumper is terrible, but he is able to get to the rim still and is tough on the offensive glass. Even if he does exercise his option, his contract length is one year shooter than Giri's, and he becomes trade bait for Utah. The Jazz do lose a little shooting in this deal, but they still have 3 other draft picks to fill the need. This draft is deep at almost every position and perimeter player's like Salim Stoudemire, Alan Anderson, Kennedy Winston, Matt Walsh, and Bracey Wright will all be on the board late in the 1st round, and likely in the 2nd round. And of course the Jazz get their choice of PG. I see your points though, it is a bit of a shakeup and there are some risks in the deal. The Jazz really don't need to do much to their roster to make it to the playoffs. They just need to stay healthy this year. If this is the best deal for the Jazz on draft day for them to land Deron Williams or Chris Paul, I think they should do it.
